Brazil announce provisional squad for March international break; Neymar included

The Selecao will face Colombia and Argentina.

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) announced on Friday that Neymar would be part of Brazil’s provisional roster for their World Cup qualifying matches against Argentina and Colombia.

Since rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during a World Cup qualifying match against Uruguay in Montevideo in October 2023, the 33-year-old has not played for his nation.

The 33-year-old has displayed glimmers of his greatest plays since joining boyhood club Santos from Al-Hilal in January, following a protracted recuperation period.

Along with Sao Paulo teammates Lucas Moura and seasoned midfielder Oscar, Brazil boss Dorival Junior also selected Atletico Madrid’s Samuel Lino, Real Betis winger Antony, and youthful Real Madrid attacker Endrick.

The 52-man roster naturally includes Barcelona winger Raphinha, Newcastle star Bruno Guimaraes, and Real Madrid forwards Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo. On March 20, Brazil will play Colombia in Brasilia, and five days later, Argentina in Buenos Aires.

Despite 18 points from 12 qualifiers, the five-time world champions are currently seven points behind toppers Argentina in the 10-team South American group, in fifth place. Next week, Dorival is anticipated to reveal Brazil’s final 23-man roster for the games.

Brazil’s preliminary squad for World Cup qualifiers

Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Bento (Al Nassr), Ederson (Manchester City), Hugo Souza (Corinthians Lucas Perri (Lyon), Weverton (Palmeiras)

Defenders: Dodô (Fiorentina), Abner (Lyon), Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Alex Telles (Botafogo), Douglas Santos (Zenit), Arana (Atlético-MG), Vanderson (Monaco), Wesley (Flamengo), Alexsandro (Lille), Beraldo (PSG), Danilo (Flamengo), Fabrício Bruno (Cruzeiro), Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal), Leo Ortiz (Flamengo), Marquinhos (PSG), Murillo (Nottingham Forest)

Midfielders: Alisson (São Paulo), André (Wolverhampton), Andreas Pereira (Fulham), Andrey Santos (Strasbourg), Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle), Éderson (Atalanta), Gerson (Flamengo), João Gomes (Wolverhampton), Joelinton (Newcastle), Lucas São (Paulo), Paquetá (West Ham), Matheus Cunha (Wolverhampton), Neymar (Santos), Oscar (São Paulo),

Forwards: Antony (Real Betis), Bruno Henrique (Flamengo), Endrick (Real Madrid), Estêvão (Palmeiras), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Galeno (Al Ahli), Igor Jesus (Botafogo), Igor Paixão (Feyenoord), João Pedro (Brighton), Luiz Henrique (Zenit), Raphinha (Barcelona), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Samuel Lino (Atlético de Madrid), Savinho (Manchester City), Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid), Yuri Alberto (Corinthians)

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